Swift in the house; she seems at home in Foxborough
FOXBOROUGH — Taylor Swift’s long history with Gillette Stadium has a new chapter.
The “Midnights” singer was on hand to watch boyfriend Travis Kelce and the Chiefs beat the Patriots, 27-17. Kelce had a quiet game, catching just five passes on seven targets for 28 yards.
The 34-year-old pop star and the All-Pro tight end made their relationship public in the fall, and while her presence at his games is nothing new, it never goes out of style.
She’s jetted all over the United States, attending games at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
And now, she’s added Gillette Stadium to her list of stops during the 2023 NFL tour — err, season.
“I’m a big fan, so I’m glad she was here,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I hope she enjoyed it. She’s got a great guy she’s dating right now. I’m happy for both of them.”
Here’s what you need to know about Swift’s visit to Massachusetts, including who she sat with and how fans reacted.
What is it with Swift and Gillette Stadium?
Gillette Stadium is a special place for Swift. On June 25, 2011, she took the stage for the first of back-to-back concerts as part of her “Speak Now” Tour centered around her third studio album. Halfway through the set, a thunderstorm unleashed torrents of rain on 50,000 fans.
Ryan Davis, writing for the Globe, reflected on that performance 10 years later, writing: “just as the skies broke open, Swift began singing ‘Fearless,’ the title track of her second album, the chorus of which includes the lines: And I don’t know why but with you I’d dance / In a storm in my best dress. Glittering from head to toe — even her guitar was bedazzled — Swift strutted out from under the awning that shielded her from the elements and performed the rest of the song, and the concert, in the pouring rain.”
Thus began the myth of Swift’s “rain shows,” and with it came a new significance to Gillette Stadium, which was the first NFL stadium she headlined.
In May of this year, it happened again.
The rain came down over tens of thousands of screaming fans, and she played “Fearless.” Swift referred to Foxborough as the “most joyful place on Earth.”
Will she or won’t she?
Speculation swirled around a possible Swift appearance leading up to Sunday’s game. With her tour calendar clear (she doesn’t hit the road again until February), the “Reputation” singer celebrated her 34th birthday this past week in New York but didn’t have any known weekend plans.
Local Swifties waited patiently, but wished she would tell them if she was going to be in attendance. Lucky for them, one American college student shares updates on the whereabouts of Swift’s private jets — and on Sunday morning, he shared that one of her planes left New Jersey and was headed for Rhode Island.
After a 30-minute trip (sparks fly, but Swift’s jet flies faster), the plane landed at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, R.I. Then, the Swift watch was on.
Local media played the role of paparazzi waiting for her arrival at Gillette Stadium. Had anyone seen her? Was she sneaking through a private entrance? Are you ready for it?
Finally, with about 45 minutes until kickoff, she was spotted by a reporter at the stadium.
Who did Swift sit with?
Swift rarely heads out without an entourage. Whether it be Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez, the Haim sisters, or even Blake Lively and her husband, Swift is always arm-in-arm with a pal. Sunday was no exception.
Among the people sitting in the suite with Swift were:
Swift’s father, Scott, rocking a Chiefs sweater. Singer Alana Haim, a member of HAIM alongside sisters Este and Danielle. HAIM and Swift teamed up for “No Body, No Crime,” a track off
Swift’s “Evermore” album.
Stylist and longtime friend Ashley Avignone. Friend and backup dancer/singer Melanie Nyema.
Friend and keyboardist Karina DePiano.
Swift was sitting next to Brittany Mahomes, wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and in the same box as Lyndsay Bell, wife of Chiefs tight end Blake Bell.
Smile! You’re on camera.
The fans knew Swift was at the stadium. The players certainly had an idea. But when would she show her face to the masses?
Swift finally appeared on the video board over the north end of the stadium during the second quarter, and the crowd went wild.
Sitting between her father and Mahomes, Swift gave a little shrug, a peace sign, and a few smiles — but appeared to be focused on the game.
Swift was caught by television cameras during the third quarter criticizing the officials.
She was not pleased after Kelce dropped a possible touchdown — and made her feelings known. The singer indicated she wanted a flag for pass interference.
Beyond that, Swift wasn’t easy to find. Notorious for strong security surrounding her, Swift was swept from the bowels of the stadium into a black SUV with black windows after the Chiefs’ win.
What do the Patriots think of Swift?
Patriots coach Bill Belichick doesn’t share a lot about his personal interests, but he’s made clear he’s a music fan. And he caught Swift’s rain show at Gillette Stadium earlier this year.
“That was pretty impressive,” Belichick said of Swift’s performance in May. “She’s tough, man. Just stood out there and played right through it.”
Does Belichick consider himself to be a “Swiftie”?
“I don’t know about that,” he replied. “I don’t know what ‘officially’ is. What does that mean, like you have a sweatshirt or something?”
“Well look, I’m definitely on the ‘You [have] to calm down,’” Belichick added, referencing Swift’s “You Need To Calm Down,” off her “Lover” album. “That’s pretty good. You’ve got to calm down. There are a lot of times when that’s very appropriate.”